Vaginismus
What is Vaginismus?
Vaginismus (also known as Vaginism) is a condition in which an attempt to insert something into a woman's vagina causes the muscles surrounding the vagina to tighten, and to clamp shut, making penetration painful or impossible.
Vaginismus can affect sexual intercourse as well as gynaecological examinations and even the use of tampons.
Vaginismus is involuntary, and can be compared to any other reflex action where the body closes up as a reflex, like when the eye blinks if something approaches it.
In vaginismus, although the closing of the vagina is involuntary, it is often due to a learned response to pain, that is to say, the woman expects pain, or remembers previous painful experiences, or simply imagines that penetration will be painful, and the vaginismus reflex occurs. Vaginismus can be helped very successfully.
Woman with vaginismus can get caught in a 'catch 22' situation. They subconsciously expect, or fear pain, and the muscles tighten up. If penetration is then attempted, it can be painful simply because the muscles are tight. What happens then, is that the pain then subconsciously re-inforces the fear, tells the subconscious that it was right to fear the pain, and it can cause an even stronger response the next time.
Primary Vaginismus
Primary vaginismus is the name given to the condition when the woman has never been able to have sexual intercourse.
Primary vaginismus is often discovered in the teenage years, when the girl tries to use tampons, or goes for an internal examination and finds it to be extremely uncomfortable. This fear of pain then causes an anxiety which will bring with it the conditioned reflex response of closing upwhenever the woman then subsequently attempt intercourse.
Secondary Vaginismus
Secondary vaginismus is the name given to the condition where the woman has been able to achieve penetration in the past, but develops vaginismus after some time.
Treatment for vaginismus is often easier for women with secondary vaginismus than it is for women with primary vaginismus, simply because the woman is aware that penetration without pain is possible.
Looking for Help with Vaginismus?
It's important to remember, that if you suffer from Vaginismus, then help is available.
Vaginismus responds really well to therapies such as 'Pure' Hypnoanalysis.
Pure Hypnoanalysis is a relatively quick form of therapy, that helps people with Vaginismus to overcome the underlying anxiety that could be causing their Vaginismus.
It is a form of therapy that is quite unique, in that it aims to resolve the root cause of the problem, rather than (as most therapies do), temporarily manage the symptoms.
If you are in the UK, and would like to look into Pure Hypnoanalysis as a possible therapy, there are therapists trained in this unique therapy all over the UK.
One of the easiest ways to find a therapist in your area who is trained in this therapy, is to use the free find-a-therapist service, by Avon Hypnotherapy.
The find-a-therapist service is very easy to use, simply tell them some basic details, including your name and location, and they will do their best to help you locate a trained therapist in your area.
Click here to visit Avon Hypnotherapy's FREE Find-a-Therapist service.
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